Megan’s Law

Megan’s Law Attorney

Defending the Reputation and Legal Rights of Individuals Accused of Sex Offenses in New Jersey

Perhaps more than any other type of criminal offenses, short of homicide, those related to sexual conduct have the potential to change the course of a person’s life permanently. Sexual crimes carry a particular stigma in modern society, particularly when the victims of these offenses are underage. In addition, although it may go against the legal concept that an individual is considered innocent until he or she is proven guilty, mere allegations of sexual misconduct can often cause irreparable harm to a person’s reputation, even if he or she is never convicted.

A conviction for a crime related to sexual misconduct can result in legal penalties that can include probation, counseling, fines, jail time, and even mandatory registration with the New Jersey sex offender registry. Furthermore, a sex crime appearing on a person’s criminal record can have collateral consequences that include difficulty obtaining employment, renting an apartment, and general damage to a person’s reputation within his or her community. Retaining qualified legal counsel can help avoid these and other potential issues associated with a sex crime conviction and can also help ensure that your legal rights are protected during any investigative process that may occur.

Sex Offender Registry in New Jersey

While people are regularly accused of sex crimes of which they are not guilty, the fact is that sex crimes do occur and the public has an interest in being able to take steps to protect themselves from potential harm. To this end, New Jersey enacted a law creating a sex offender registry making information about individuals who have committed certain criminal offenses available to the public. Known informally as “Megan’s Law,” New Jersey’s sex offender law was the first such law in the U.S. and has served as a model for other states and the federal government. The information made available to the public includes an offender’s name, the offense(s) of which a person was convicted, a description of the offense, the offender’s photograph, identifying characteristics regarding any vehicle the offender may drive, whether the victim was under 18 or under 13, and the determination of whether the risk of re-offense is moderate or high. Some of the offenses that may require registration include the following:

Sexual assault

Aggravated sexual assault

Aggravated criminal sexual contact

Criminal sexual contact if the victim is a minor

Endangering the welfare of a child by engaging in sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of the child

Endangering the welfare of a child through acts involving pornography featuring a child, promoting prostitution of a child

Luring or enticing

Kidnapping

Criminal restraint

Defense for Megan’s Law Cases in New Jersey

Fortunately for individuals that have been accused of criminal offenses that could potentially require registration under Megan’s Law, there are often many defenses that may be raised that could possibly result in a case being dismissed or an acquittal. It is important to remember that when it comes to allegations of sex crimes, there are only two people who have first-hand knowledge regarding the incident in question. As a result, many of these cases come down to the issue of which party a judge or jury finds more believable and whether there is any circumstantial evidence that can support either position. It is, therefore, critical for anyone facing allegations of a sex crime to retain an attorney who is familiar with litigating these kinds of cases and understand the unique and sensitive issues that can often arise when sex crimes cases go to trial. In addition to calling into question the truthfulness of the allegations made by a person claiming to be a sex crime victim, an attorney may also be able to raise the following types of defenses:

Arguing that a particular sexual encounter was consensual

Establishing that the way in which evidence was gathered was in violation of the 4th Amendment

Introducing evidence that establishes that the defendant was in a different place at the time that the offense was committed, making it an impossibility that he or she committed the offense

Contact the Law Office of Ronald J. Brandmayr, Jr. Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with a New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you are facing allegations a sex crime in New Jersey, you should retain an attorney as soon as possible. In some cases, the early involvement of an experienced criminal defense lawyer can avoid a criminal case from being issued at all. To schedule a free case evaluation with a skilled New Jersey Megan’s Law attorney, call our office today at 732-409-5195 or send us an email through our online contact form.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MEGAN’S LAW, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT OUR LAW OFFICE TODAY!

About Us

The Law Office of Ronald J. Brandmayr, Jr. is known for our meticulous attention to detail and analyzing every factor in your case from beginning to end. There are many options for your particular case. We determine the one with the highest chance of success.